Thread cutting means for sewing machines



April 30, 1963 r. 1.. GRAVES THREAD CUTTING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 3 1960 THOMAS L. GRAVES ATTORNEYS A ril 30, 1963 T. L. GRAVES 3,087,449

THREAD CUTTING MEANS FOR SEWING MACHiNES Filed Oct. 3, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l/Il/I/ Ill/II!!! 5 0L END/D /|33 3e 151$; zz? mm FEED SOLENOID F SOLENOID 1 3' I L |d4 1 STACKER SOLENOID INVENTOR THOMAS L. GRAVES BY WZWA YMW ATTORNEYS ited tates This invention relates to a new and novel seaming apparatus involving conventional seaming machines for seaming stockings in succession, wherein the seaming machine operates continuously to produce a seaming chain extending between successive seamed stockings. This seaming chain must be severed in order to separate the successive stockings and, accordingly, this invention has particular reference to an apparatus for severing the seaming chain joining normally successive seamed stockings, and stacking the stockings after the seaming chain has been severed.

Conventional seaming machines of the type for seaming full-fashioned stockings are generally equipped with a stationary cutting member for severing the seaming chain joining normally successive stockings, the operator or" the machine being required to move the seaming chain to the cutting member for cutting the stocking therefrom. This manual operation is recognized to be a tedious chore, which decreases the productivity of the seaming machines; and, diverse efforts have been directed towards providing improved devices operative to sever the seaming chain after the stocking has been properly seamed.

After the seaming chain has been severed, the stocking is placed over a rack by the operator, and after a number of stockings have been thus seamed and their seaming chains severed, the stockings may be moved to another place for subsequent processing. With such conventional procedures, the machine operator is required to move the stocking to a rack where the successive stockings are piled. This manual stacking operation, as is the case with the manual severing operation, is a repetitious chore which causes machine operator fatigue and reduces the productivity of conventional seaming machines.

The present invention involves and has for its principal object the provision of an improved seaming machine whereby the seaming chain joining normally successive stockings is severed and the stockings, upon falling, are stacked in a remote position, thus eliminating the manual severing and stacking operations normally required of the machine operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved seaming machine having a heated seaming chain severing device and a stacking device which are operated by actuation of solenoids or the like in timed relationship to sever the seaming chain and move the stocking which has been severed to a remote position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a severing and stacking apparatus for a seaming machine which is positive and trouble free in operation, is useful with seaming machines of all sizes, and is of inexpensive and durable construction. The apparatus furthermore greatly reduces machine operator fatigue and results in increased machine output.

The invention and the novel features thereof may best be made clear by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a conventional seaming machine including a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

ate t ice FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of paratus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic circuit ing the invention; and

FIGURE 4 is an alternative embodiment of the schematic circuit diagram of FIGURE 3.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and in particular to FIGURE 1, reference numberal 10 indicates the head of a conventional seaming machine such as manufactured by the Singer Manufacturing Company, and described in Singer Hosiery Seamer Catalog 242-1; or by the Union Special Machine Company, more fully described in Christensen reissue Patent 22,094. The machine comprises the usual flanged feeding cups 12 and '14, driven respectively by the vertical shafts 16 and 18. Also associated with the feeding cups are such standard elements as the stitch finger, needle bar and needle, and the presser plate, all of which are omitted for clarity.

The uncurler is indicated generally at 20, being shown in both its operative and inoperative positions, the inoperative position being indicated by dotted lines. The uncurler 21) includes uncurler guide members 22, and uncurler arm 24 which is pivotally mounted to shaft 26 on the machine head 10. The uncurler 20 also has a hand lever (not shown) which is utilized by the machine operator to pivot the uncurler 20 into and out of its operative position, adjacent the infeed side of the feeding cups 12 and 14. All of the elements described to this point are conventional.

As is well known, in conventional full-fashioned seaming operations a stocking passes between the feeding cups -12 and 14 of the machine and is progressively seamed from the toe to the welt end thereof. After a stocking has been completely seamed, the stitching instrumentalities continue to operate, producing a seaming chain which extends to the next stocking seamed. In FIGURE 1, a completely seamed stocking 11 is shown on the outfeed side of the feeding cups, and a seaming chain 13 extending from the welt end of the stocking to the machine needle.

In accordance with the present invention, a severing device 30 is provided, together with a stacking device 100, these devices operating in timed relationship to sever the seaming chain 13 joining successive stockings, and then to stack the stocking 11 as it falls from the feeding cups 12 and 14.

The severing device 30 includes an inverted L-shaped bracket 32. having a horizontal leg member 34. The bracket 32 is secured to the seaming machine head 10, by machine screws 36, or the like. Thus, the bracket is positioned at what might be termed the rear of the feeding cups 12, 14, opposite to the side of the cups where the operator normally stands. The bracket 32 has disposed on the underside of the horizontal member 34, two trunnions 37, and mounted on the upper side of the horizontal leg member 34 by suitable screws 39 or the like is a feed solenoid 38. The feed solenoid 38 has power leads 40 connected in a suitable actuating circuit, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The feed solenoid 38 also has a reciprocable arm 41 on which is mounted an armature 42. Also attached to solenoid arm 41 is a vertical cross arm 43, which is secured thereto, as by screw and bolt fastener 44. Disposed at each end of the cross arm 43 are upper and lower mounting blocks 46 and 48, respectively, having apertures therethrough. Passing through the aperture in the upper mounting'block 46 is an offset link 50, which is secured at one end to the upper mounting block 46 by a locking screw 52., while the other end of link 50 is slidably received in an aperture extending through a bracket 54, which extends from the machine head 10. On the oppothe stacker apdiagram for operatsite side of bracket 54, and adjustably secured to the link 50, is an adjusting member 56 having a locking screw 58 therein, which engages the link 50. This adjusting member 56 is in abutment with the bracket 54 when the link 50 is in its rearward, inoperative position, as shown in FIGURE 1. The position of the adjusting member 56 along the axis of link 50 thereby regulates the rearward position of the link 50. Also adjustably mounted on the forward end of the link 50 is a collar 60 which is secured thereto by an appropriate locking screw 62.

The shaft 26 on which the uncurler arm 24 is mounted has a mechanism responsive to the reciprocating movement of the link 50 and the collar 60, for pivoting the uncurler 20 out of its operative position adjacent the infeed side of the feeding cups 12 and '14. Operatively mounted on the shaft 26 is a downwardly extending cam member 64 which normally abuts against the collar 60, when the uncurler 20 is in its operative position adjacent the infeed side of the feeding cups 12 and 14. The cam member 64 also has a flange 66 extending therefrom, this flange 66 having a detent edge 68. Counterclockwise rotation of the cam member 64, as viewed in FIGURE 1, thus rotates uncurler arm 24 on the shaft 26. A pawl 70 having a finger 72 is biased downwardly and inwardly toward the machine head 10, adjacent the flange surface 66, by a spring 74, the pawl 70 and the spring 74 being disposed on a suitable mounting screw 76.

The lower mounting block 48 has a guide rod 80 extending therethrough, which is fixedly secured within the mounting block 48 by a locking screw (not shown), similar to the locking screw 52 on the upper mounting block 46. The guide rod 80 is slidably mounted in the trunnions 37 and has a spring 82 under compression thereon.

The spring 82 is compressed between the mounting block' 48 and the left-hand trunnion 37, as shown in FIGURE 1.

On the opposite end of the guide rod 80 is a hot wire severing mechanism comprising a U-shaped heating element 83, preferably made of Nichrome wire or similar material. The heating element 83 has an electrical connector post 84 extending therefrom, to which an electrical lead 86 is suitably secured. Another electrical lead 87 is connected thereto to provide electric current to the heating element 83.

A safety shield 90 extends over the end of guide rod 80 and the heating element 83, the safety shield 90 having a forwardly facing recess 91. The safety shield 90 is pivotally mounted through an aperture therein on a member (not shown) extending from the horizontal leg member 34, to which a spring-biased pin 92 is secured, providing for pivotal movement of the safety shield90 on a vertical axis. Extending upwardly from the guide rod 80 into the recess 91 of the safety shield 90 is a pin 88. It will be apparent that forward movement of the guide rod 80 and pin 88 will cause the safety shield 90 to be pivoted laterally out of the way of the heating element 83 toward the machine head 10, by virtue of the force of the pin 88 on the forward edge of the recess 91. Conversely, the pin 88 will be biased against the rear edge of the recess 91, when the guide rod moves rearwardly, to pivot the safety shield 90 back over the heating element 83. In this regard, the rear edge of the recess 91 extends laterally slightly beyond its forward edge to ensure contact with the pin 88, as the pin moves to the left as shown.

The stacking device 100 operates in conjunction with the severing device 30 to stack the stocking 11 after it falls from the seaming position. The stacking device 100 comprises a plate 102 which is secured to the machine frame in any suitable manner (not shown). Mounted on the plate 102 is a stacker solenoid 104, having a reciprocating arm 106, on which an armature 108 is mounted. The stacker solenoid 106 is connected in a suitable circuit by electrical leads 110 (FIGURE 2). Also fastened to the solenoid arm 106 by a pin 112 (FIGURE 2) is a yoke 114, to which a rack 116 is connected. This rack 116 is slidably disposed within a housing 118, within which a gear 120 is rotatably mounted to engage the rack 116. Extending from the gear 120 is a stacker rod 122, to which is secured a radially extending stacker plate 124. The stacker rod 122 is biased in a clockwise direction by a spring 125. The stacker plate 124 preferably has a recessed, curved portion onto which the stocking 11 will slide down upon being progressively seamed.

A retaining rod 132 extends outwardly from the plate 182, or the machine frame, and is disposed generally parallel to the stacker rod 122. The retaining rod 132 is placed such a distance from the stacker rod 122 so as not to interfere with the rotation of the stacker plate 124.

Figure 3 shows a schematic wiring diagram for operating the severing device 30 and the stacking device 100 in proper time delay relationship. The feed solenoid 38 and the stacker solenoid 104 are connected in parallel to a source of power, as for example, a DC. generator G. The heating element 83 may be connected in series with the feed solenoid 38, or alternatively, to a separate power source. The time delay in the operation of the feed solenoid 38 and the stacker solenoid 104 is accomplished by a simple R-C circuit 133, in series with the stacker solenoid 104, or by more elaborate time delay circuits, as are known to those skilled in the art. A make-orbreak switch 134 is actuated by a foot or knee lever 136, which is appropriately pivoted to the machine frame or the like, at 138.

In FIGURE 4 an alternative schematic circuit diagram is shown whereby the time delay is accomplished by twomake-or-break switches 134A and 134B, which actuate the feed solenoid 38 and the stacker solenoid 104, respectively. Again, a suitable foot or knee lever 136, pivoted to the machine frame or the like at 138, is operable to sequentially close the switches 134A and 134B. In this arrangement, preferably two power sources are used, as for example, D.C. generators G and G respectively. Again, the heating element 83 may be connected in series with the feed solenoid 38, as shown in FIGURE 4, or connected through a separate circuit with a switch therein, to an alternative source of power, such as a low-voltage transformer.

Various additional circuits, which will effectively operate the apparatus, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Operation The operation of the apparatus will best be understood in connection with the seaming of full-fashioned stockings. With the uncurler guide 20 in inoperative position, a stocking to be seamed is positioned between the guide members 22 thereof, and the uncurler guide then moved to operative seaming position adjacent the infeed side of the feeding cups 12 and 14 of the machine. The stocking is progressively fed through the stitching instrumentalities by rotation of the feeding cups 12 and 14, and the stocking is progressively seamed from toe end to welt end. Upon completion of the seaming operation, the machine operator permits the machine to form a seaming chain 13 of, for example, three quarters of an inch or an inch in length. It will be understood that this is the length of the chain before severing. When the chain is severed, one half of this chain will extend from the welt end of the stocking just seamed, and the other half will be at the toe of the next stocking to be seamed.

During the progress of the seaming of the stocking from the toe end to the welt end, the toe end of the stocking emerges from the outfeed side of the feeding cups and hangs down. As the toe end of the stocking moves downwardly, it encounters and slides down the surface of the stacker plate 124, which is disposed slightly below the feeding cups 12 and 14 and preferably at an angle thereto, as illustrated in FIGURES l and 2. When the seaming operation is complete, the seamed stocking hangs from the seaming chain, with the major portion of its '3 7 length lying on the upper surface of the stacker plate 124, as shown in FIGURE 1.

At the end of a seaming operation, and when a length of seaming chain 13 has been formed, the machine operator depresses a foot or knee lever 136 which actuates in timed, sequential relationship the seaming chain severing device 30, and a brief interval of time thereafter the stocking stacker device 100, by closing a switch 134, or by sequentially closing switches 134A and 134B, in an appropriate circuit, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, respectively. Referring to FIGURE 3, when switch 134 is closed by lever 136, a circuit through feed solenoid 38 is energized, and the armature 42 is displaced toward the solenoid, to the right as viewed in FIGURE 1. By virtue of their linkage to armature 42, link 50 and guide rod 80 are also displaced to the right, through vertical cross arm 43 and mounting blocks 46 and 48, respectively.

As link 50 is displaced to the right, the collar 60 carried thereby encounters cam 64 and rotates shaft 26, whereby the uncurler arm 24 is displaced to inoperative position, illustrated in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. Upon displacement of the uncurler 20, the finger 72 on pawl 70 engages the detent edge 68 of flange 66-, whereby the uncurler is maintained in inoperative position until displaced therefrom by the machine operator.

Actuation of feed solenoid 38 also displaces guide rod 80 to the right, as previously noted, and this movement of the guide rod 80 carries the heating element 83 into engagement with the seaming chain 13 extending between the seamed stocking and the stitching instrumentalites. The heating element 83 may be maintained at high temperature, or conventional means may be provided to heat it prior to each severing operation. The hot element severs the seaming chain on contact, separating the seamed stocking from the machine head and permitting it to fall. It will be noted that movement of the guide rod 80 and the heating element 83 carried thereby, toward the feeding cups, automatically pivots the safety shield 90 about pin 92 laterally toward the machine head 10. As will be readily understood, movement of guide rod 80 causes the upright pin 88 extending therefrom to engage the forward edge of the shield recess 91, the inclination of the recess edge being such as to pivot the shield laterally as the guide rod pin proceeds in its path. Actuation of the feed solenoid 38, then, is effective both to displace the uncurler to inoperative position, and to sever the seaming chain and free the seamed stocking.

A very brief interval of time after actuation of feed solenoid 38, the stacker solenoid 104 is energized. This interval may be effected, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, by a simple time delay circuit 133 in series with the stacker solenoid. When the stacker solenoid is energized, its armature 108 is displaced to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2, whereby the rack 116 is correspondingly displaced, and the engaged gear 120 rotated. Rotation of gear 120 rotates stacker rod 122 and the stacker plate 124 extending therefrom. The rack 116 is designed so that energization of the stacker solenoid causes the stacker rod 122 and stacker plate 124 to rotate approximately 120, in counterclockwise direction.

Accordingly, immediately after the seamed stocking is separated from the seaming chain by the severing device 30, and substantially as the stocking begins to fall, the stacker plate 124 rotates and displaces the severed stocking to a position immediately above the retaining bar 132. The movement of the stacker plate 124 is sufficiently swift to cause the seamed stocking to be in substantially horizontal position, with welt end outward, when it encounters the retaining rod 132. The stocking thereupon folds over the retaining rod 132, and remains thereon. As will be understood, a dozen or more stockings may be stacked one upon another on the retaining rod in this fashion, and removed therefrom at the convenience of the operator.

When the seamed stocking has been severed and stacked, the operator may release lever 136, permitting switch 134 to open and break the circuit through the feed and stacker solenoids. When the feed solenoid 38 is de-energized, spring 82 returns link 50 and guide rod to withdrawn position. Withdrawal of guide rod 80 retracts the heating element 83 from the vicinity of the feeding cups, and in the course of this movement pin 88 encounters the rear edge of the shield recess 91, pivoting the shield to normal position enclosing the heating element, whereby accidental contact with the heating element is precluded. Withdrawal of the link '50 also retracts the collar 60, permitting the uncurler to be moved by the operator to operative position adjacent the feeding cups.

It will be noted that there is no positive connection between the collar 60 and the cam 64 associated with the uncurler 20. It follows that the uncurler 20 must be moved to operative position by the operator, and this may be accomplished by moving the pawl finger 72 out of engagement with detent edge 68 of the flange 66, and then pivoting the uncurler. Further, the operator is free to displace the uncurler in either direction, when the severing and stacking mechanism is at rest.

When the stacker solenoid 104 is de-energized, the mechanism is returned to normal inoperative position by spring 125, the stacker rod 122 and stacker plate 124 being rotated to the solid line position of FIGURES 1 and 2. A suitable stop may be provided to limit this movement to normal position. This completes a cycle of operation, and the operator may position the next stocking to be seamed between the guide members 22 of the uncurler guide, and then move the uncurler guide into operative seaming position.

As indicated, it is desirable that the stacker solenoid be energized a brief interval of time after energization of the feed solenoid. This sequence of operations may be accomplished in any convenient manner, within the skill of those versed in the art. A simple and convenient arrangement for accomplishing this is illustrated in FIG- URE 4, where separate switches 134A and 134B are provided for the feed solenoid and stacker solenoid circuits, respectively. The positional relationship of the switches 134A and 134B insures that as lever 136 is displaced, it will encounter and close switch 134A very slightly before it encounters and closes switch 134B.

It will, therefore, be seen that there has been provided by this invention a structure in which the various objects hereinbefore set forth, together with many practical advantages, are successfully achieved. As various possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of this invention, all Without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted in an illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Apparatus including a seaming machine having a pair of feeding cups, said cups having contacting flanges for feeding a stocking therebetween to be seamed; solenoid means mounted on said apparatus to the rear of said feeding cups and including operating link means movable towards and away from said feeding cups in transverse relationship to the axis of rotation of said feeding cups, said operating link means including a heating element carried in facing relationship to the contacting flanges of said feeding cups and movable thereby to a thread severing position intermediate said feeding cups to thereby lbreak a seaming chain.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including an uncurler guide mounted adjacent said feeding cups and movable into and out of seaming position, and a link operatively connected to said solenoid for moving the uncurler guide out of seaming position when said solenoid is actuated.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a safety shield normally enclosing said heating element, and means for moving said safety shield out of normal position when said heating element is moved to the seaming chain severing position.

4. Apparatus including a seaming machine having a pair of feeding cups, said cups having contacting flanges for feeding a stocking therebetween to be seamed; solenoid means mounted on said apparatus to the rear of said feeding cups and including operating link means movable towards and away from said feeding cups in transverse relationship to the axis of rotation of said feeding cups, said operating link means including a heating element carried in facing relationship to the contacting flanges of said feeding cups and movable thereby to a thread severing position intermediate said feeding cups to thereby break a seaming chain; a safety shield mounted for movement between the end of said heating element and said feeding cups, and a laterally displaced position in response to movement of said heating element towards said feeding cups; said apparatus also including an uncurler guide mounted adjacent said feeding cups, and

- a means operative in response to actuation of said feed solenoid to move said operating link means toward said feeding cups to thereby move said uncurler guide out of a seaming position adjacent said feeding cups.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,256,671 Flower Feb. 19, 1918 1,429,301 Schutte Sept. 19, 1922 1,847,812 Burton et al. Mar. 1, 1932 2,517,485 Henning Aug. 1, 1950 2,522,811 Bishop et al. Sept. 19, 1950 2,685,854 Ackerman et al. Aug. 10, 1954 2,894,648 Mussett July 14, 1959 2,909,135 Shoaf Oct. 20, 1959 2,931,330 Pinkvoss et al. Apr. 5, 1960 3,008,437 Herr Nov. 14, 1961 

1. APPARATUS INCLUDING A SEAMING MACHINE HAVING A PAIR OF FEEDING CUPS, SAID CUPS HAVING CONTACTING FLANGES FOR FEEDING A STOCKING THEREBETWEEN TO BE SEAMED; SOLENOID MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID APPARATUS TO THE REAR OF SAID FEEDING CUPS AND INCLUDING OPERATING LINK MEANS MOVABLE TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM SAID FEEDING CUPS IN TRANSVERSE RELATIONSHIP TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID FEEDING CUPS, SAID OPERATING LINK MEANS INCLUDING A HEATING ELEMENT CARRIED IN FACING RELATIONSHIP TO THE CONTACTING FLANGES OF SAID FEEDING CUPS AND MOVABLE THEREBY TO A THREAD SEVERING POSITION INTERMEDIATE SAID FEEDING CUPS TO THEREBY BREAK A SEAMING CHAIN. 